Textile thread winder with transfer tail forming device

ABSTRACT

A textile thread winder with a device for forming a transfer tail on the package being wound. The textile thread winding apparatus has a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable package roll positioned on one side of the drive roll for engagement therewith to be driven thereby for winding of thread and mounted for linear movement away from the drive roll as the thread package builds thereon, and a thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of the drive roll for receiving the thread from a source and guiding the thread around the drive roll to the package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of the drive roll. Preferably, the winding apparatus includes mechanisms for maintaining a predetermined pressure relationship between the drive roll and the package roll. Preferably, the transfer tail forming device comprises a cooperating movable hook member and stationary cam member.

United States Patent [151 3,690,577 Schroeder [451 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] TEXTILE THREAD WINDER WITH FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS TRANSFER TAIL FORMING DEV-ICE 1,111,070 7/1961 Germany ..242/l8 DD [72] Inventor: George F. Schroeder, Ashev'ille,

N.C. Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assigneez No I p Carolina Inc. Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & GIbSOIl Ashevllle, N.C. [22] Filed: May 1971 A textile thread winder with .a device for forming a 2 App]. 139 514 transfer tail on the package being wound. The textile thread winding apparatus has a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable package roll posi- UQSI Cltioned on one side of the drive to" for engagement [5!] Int. Cl .3651: 54/02, B6h 54/34 therewith to be driven thereby for winding of thread Field of Search 18 R and mounted for linear movement away from the drive roll as the thread package builds thereon, and a [56] References Cited thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of the drive roll for receiving the thread from a UNITED STATES PATENTS source and guiding the thread around the drive roll to l 1959 "242 18 PW the package roll while traversing the thread longitull965 5:22 Sr 242118 PW dinal ly of the drive roll. Preferably, the winding ap- 3'241778 3/1966 Bout eas 42/18 DD paratus includes mechanisms for maintaining a 3251560 5/1966 Macegdo "242/18 PW predetermined pressure relationship between the drive 3275252 9/1966 B l "242/18 PW roll and the package roll. Preferably, the transfer tail o forming device comprises a cooperating movable hook 3,276,704 10/1966 Pabls ..242/l8 PW b d be 3,488,010 1/1970 Parry ..'...242/1a PW mem mummy 3,559,903 2/1971 McDermott ....242/l 8 PW 4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 SHEET 1 OF 5 Mews ACTUATI N PATENTED SEP I 2 m2 3 690 5 7 7 saw u or 5 12/ Iii-6 Z PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 SHEET S [If 5 mm Mm W//////////////// ////5 TEXTILE THREAD WINDER WITH TRANSFER TAIL FORMING DEVICE This invention relates to the combination of a specific thread winding apparatus and means for forming a transfer tail on the thread package being wound.

In textile thread or yarn winding apparatus, it is desired to initially wind a desired quantity of thread on the package being wound outside of the traversed path so as to form a transfer tail on the wound package in order that packages of wound yarn may be tied together in series to facilitate continuous, uninterrupted usage.

While transfer tail forming devices have been proposed for other types of winders, no transfer tail vention, the transfer tail forming means is mounted adjacent the outside end of the path of travel of the forming devices have been proposed fora textile thread V means for maintaining a predetermined pressure relationship between the drive roll and the package roll. In

this type of winding apparatus, the thread is received by a traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of the drive roll for receiving the thread from a source and guiding the thread around the drive roll to the package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of the drive roll.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a transfer tail forming device for the specific thread winder disclosed therein.

According to this invention, the above object may be accomplished by providing the following combination. Textile thread winding apparatus is provided having a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable packageroll positioned on one side of the drive roll for engagement therewith to be driven thereby for the winding of thread and mounted for linear movement away from the drive roll as the package builds thereon, and a thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of the drive roll 4 receiving the thread from a source and for guiding the thread around the drive roll to the package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of the drive roll. Means is associated with the winding apparatus for holding the thread out of reception by the traversing mechanism for initial winding on the package roll outside of the traversed path until a desired quantity is wound for forming a tran fer tail and for subsequent releasing of the thread for reception and traversing by the traversing mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the textile thread winding apparatus includes a carriage mechanism having a stationary portion and a movable portion carried by the stationary portion for reciprocating linear movement and being secured to and carrying the package roll for reciprocating linear movement therewith. There is also included meansv for maintaining a desired predetermined pressure relationship between the driven roll and the package roll and for linearly driving the package roll. This means comprises a variable torque reversible motor, a screw shaft connected to and rotated by the torque motor and a nut secured to the movable carriage portion and receiving the screw shaft therethrough for converting rotary movement of traversing mechanism and comprises a longitudinally movable hook means for receiving and holding the thread out of reception by the traversing mechanism in one position thereof, means for longitudinally moving the hook means to a second position toward the traversing mechanism, and a cam means cooperating with the hook means for engaging the thread as the hook means is moved to the second position for releasing the thread from the hook means.

-Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the winding apparatus A and transfer tail forming means of this invention and showing a single thread being formed into a transfer tail on one package roll thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the end of a wound package of thread produced on the winding apparatus of FIG. 1 and showing a transfer tail formed on the end of the core;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the traversing mechanism and one form of the transfer tail forming device;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating another form of the transfer tail forming means of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a slightly enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the top of the upper carriage assembly of the'winding apparatus and taken generally at the arrow 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail of the bottom of the carriage assembly of FIG. 7 and taken generally at the arrow 8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through the carriage assembly of FIGS. 7 and 8 and taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional detail showing the ball screw and ball nut mechanism and taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, a specific form of winding apparatus in combination with a transfer tail forming means according to this invention is illustrated therein and generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. The thread winder 10 illustrated in the drawings is adapted to wind thread T received from a thread source intowound packages P (shown in FIG. 2).

The winding apparatus 10 comprises a stationary, enclosed housing 12 of generally modular construction so that the winding apparatus 10 may be positioned individually or in banks or groups of such winders in a textile operation. I

A generally cylindrical drive roll 14 is mounted for rotation on the housing 12 in a fixed position and extends generally horizontally outwardly therefrom, as may be seen in FIG. 1. The drive roll 14 may be constructed of a suitable smooth metal material or otherwise and is driven by a motor mounted within the housing 12 on one wall of the housing by means of mounting plates 16, as shown in FIG. 6. The motor 15 includes an outwardly extending shaft 17 which carries a suitable pulley 18 for receiving an endless belt 19. The endless belt 19 also passes around a pulley 20 carried by a rotatable shaft 21 which is suitably mounted in a fixed rotatable position in the housing 12 and extends outwardly therefrom and is connected with the drive roll 14 so that the motor 15 may rotate the drive roll 14 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1 through the above described belt and pulley arrangement. The portion of the housing 12 through which the shaft 21 passes for connection with the drive roll 14 is suitably sealed, for the reasons to be discussed below.

-, The winding apparatus 10 further includes a traverse mechanism 25 mounted on the housing 12 and extending outwardly therefrom generally parallel with the drive roll 14 and on one side thereof,'as shown in FIG. 1, for, receiving the, thread T from a thread source and for guiding the thread around-the drive roll 14 to a package roll (described hereinafter), while reciprocating or traversing back and forth along a path of travel which is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the drive roll 14 for traversing the thread T onto the package P being wound by the apparatus 10. This traverse mechanism 25 includes a motor 26 suitably mounted within the housing 12 and having a drive shaft 27 extending therefrom and operatively connected with reciprocating element 28 of the traverse mechanism 25 for operating same. The shaft 27 and traverse mechanism 25 also include suitable means for sealing the portion of the housing 12 through which the shaft 27 passes, for reasons to be discussed below. The detailed construction of the traverse mechanism 25 has not been illustrated in the drawings and inasmuch as these traverse mechanisms are conventional and well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, further explanation herein is not necessary.

I .The winding apparatus 10 of this invention, as illustrated in the drawings, further includes a pair of freely rotatable, linearly movable package rolls 30 for carrying thread package cores C to form a wound package thereon. The package rolls 30 extend generally horizontally outwardly from the housing 12 and are generally parallel with the drive roll 14 on the other side thereof from the traverse mechanism 25 to be driven by the drive roll 14, in a manner described below. Thepackage rolls 30 receive thread T from the traverse package mechanism 25 for simultaneous or alternative winding on package cores C on both or one of the package rolls 30.

The package rolls 30 are disposed above and below each other, as shown in FIG. 1, and are linearly movable away from the drive roll 14 along inclined paths of travel which form upwardly extending and downwardly extending acute angles, respectively, with a horizontal plane through the drive roll 14, as shown in FIG. 1, so that each of the package rolls 30 may be alternately or simultaneously moved into frictional, peripheral, driving engagement with the drive roll 14 for simultaneously or alternatively winding thread T on both of the package rolls 30.

The package rolls 30 are generally of the expandable, self-contained, chuck member type which, as shown in FIG. 9, include bladder members 31 adapted to inflate and expand by the insertion of air from air line 32 on receiving of the packag cores C and air brake means 33 for precluding rotation of the package rolls 30 before, after and during an initial or final winding operation by the insertion of air into the brake means 33 from air line 34. The specific details of the construction of these package rolls 30, per se, are given in U. S. Pat. No. 3,517,891, issued June 30, I970and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Reference may be had to that patent for a complete disclosure of the operation of these package rolls.

Associated with each of the package rolls 30 is a carriage assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 40. These carriage assemblies are contained within the enclosed housing 12 and the carriage assembly for each of the package rolls 30 is substantially identically constructed, as may be seen in FIG. 6. FIGS. 7 and 8 are generally top plan views of the upper carriage assembly 40 of FIG. 6 and that carriage assembly will be described in detail below. Each carriage assembly will be given, where illustrated, like reference numerals inasmuch as like components are contained in each.

Each of the carriage assemblies 40 includes a stationary portion 42 which is generally rectangular and includes downwardly extending flange portions 42a around the outer periphery thereof and top plates 42b, as may be seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. It is noted that the bottom carriage assembly 40, as shown in FIG. 6, is reversed and the flange members 42a extend upwardly and the plate members 42b are bottom plates. The stationary carriage portion 42 is mounted in a fixed position on the housing 12 by means of bolts 43, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 particularly. The stationary carriage portion 42 includes longitudinally extending carriage rods 44 mounted in flange members 42a.

The carriage assemblies 40 further include movable portions 46 mounted on the stationary portion 42 and particularly the rods 44 thereof by any suitable bearings for reciprocating linear movement along the longitudinal axes of the stationary rods 44. The movable portion 46 of the carriage assembly 40 is secured to and carries the respective package rolls 30 for linear movement therewith, as may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The package rolls 30 include suitable bearings for rotation thereof with respect to the movable carriage portions 46. The carriage assemblies 40 are generally disposed in the inclined paths of travel which the package rolls travel. Accordingly, the carriage assemblies 40 carry the package rolls 30 along their upwardly and downwardly inclined paths of travel toward and away from the drive roll 14.

The winding apparatus 10 further includes mechanisms contained within the housing 12 and operatively associated with each of the package rolls 30 for maintaining a desired predetermined pressure relationship between the drive roll 14 and the respective package rolls 30 and for linearly driving the respective package rolls 30.

Each of the mechanisms comprises a reversible, variable torque motor 50 mounted within the housing 12 on one wall thereof, as shown in FIG. 6. The torque 'ried by the stationary carriage portion 42, as may be seen in FIG. 8. Accordingly, rotation of the torque motor causes rotation of the ball screw shaft 53 through the bearings 55 and 56.

The movable carriage portion 46 has a ball nut secured thereto, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The ball nut 60 comprises a housing 61 containing a plurality of balls therein arranged in such a manner that the ball screw shaft 53 passes through the ball nut 60 and the riage assembly and the lower package roll and carriage assembly, respectively. The upper package roll compensating mechanism 84, as best shown in FIG. 7, comprises a cased roller spring 86 carried by the stationary balls 62 engage the grooves 54 so that rotary movement of the screw shaft will be converted into linear movement of the ball nut 60 and thereby cause linear movement of the movable carriage portion 46 and the respective package rolls 30 carried thereby. Accordingly, rotation of the torque motor 50 in opposite directions will cause opposite linear movement of the package rolls 30 toward and away from the drive roll 14 through the above-described connections.

Each of the mechanisms for driving the respective package rolls and for maintaining a predeterminedpressure relationship includes a bi-directional damper apparatus 65 operatively connected with the ball screw shaft 53 and each comprising generally a torque brake 66 which may be of any suitable form and including an outwardly extending shaft 67 carrying a pulley 68. The pulley 68 carries a belt 69 which also passes around a pulley 70 mounted on the ball screw shaft 53. The bidirectional dampers 65 prohibit excessive acceleration of the movable carriage portions 46 and the respective package rolls 30 when being driven from one extreme linear position to the other. The dampers 65 also minimize any tendency toward vibration of the'package rolls during the winding operation.

There is further provided a hydraulic shock absorber 75, as shown particularly in FIG. 8, for each of the carriage assemblies 40. These hydraulic shock absorbers each comprises a cylinder 76 secured to a flange portion 42a of the fixed or stationary carriage portion 42 and a piston 77 extending from the other end thereof. The piston 77 includes an extending rod 78 which is fixed to the movable carriage portion 46. The cylinder 76 includes an adjustment knob 79. These shock absorbers 75, by the above arrangement, control the rate of contact between the drive roll 14 and the package rolls 30. There are also provided bumper type shock absorbers 82 secured to the fixed carriage portions 42, as shown in FIG. 8, and adapted to be contacted by an extension of the movable carriage portions 46 for buffing the travel of the package rolls 30 and the movable carriage portions 46 as they reach the end of their paths of travel away from the drive roll 14.

Due to the geometry of the upwardly extending and downwardly extending inclined paths of travel of the package rolls 30, which form acute angles with respect to the horizontal, forces are introduced which must be cancelled if proper package roll to drive roll predetermined pressure is maintained throughout the winding operation. Accordingly, compensating mechanisms 84 and 85 are provided for the upper package roll and carcarriage portion 42 and having a cable 87 extending therefrom and attached to a counterbalance cam 88 also mounted on the stationary carriage portion 42.

The counterbalance cam 88 includes another cable 89 extending therefrom and around guide pulleys 90 and 91 carried by stationary carriage portion 42. The other end of the cable 89 is secured to the movable carriage portion 46, as shown in FIG. 8.

The counterbalance cam profile 88 is determined by combining forces due to package weight'increase,

forces due to gravity, forces due to the change in tangent point between package and drive rolls as the wound package diameter increases, and forces due to the drive roll to package roll pressure reduction that is necessary. r

The compensating mechanism 85 for the downwardly moving lower package roll and carriage assembly 40, as best shown in FIG. 6, comprises a constant force extension spring 95'having one end thereof secured to the housing 12 and the other end thereof attached to a cable 96 which passes around a guide pulley' 97 mounted on the housing 12 and is attached at its other end to the movable carriage portion 46 of the lower carriage assembly 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the winding apparatus housing 12 has slots therein for the linear travel of the upper and lower package rolls 30 which include sealing means for sealing off the interior of the housing 12 from the exterior thereof. Each of these sealing means for each of the package rolls comprises a belt 100, as shown particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, which passes around rollers 101 and 102 at each end of the slots in the housing and has its ends attached to a cable 103 which passes around pulleys 104 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 9) to form an endless arrangement. The belt is attached to and surrounds the connecting portion between the package roll 30 and the movable carriage portion 46 to move therewith as these mechanisms move in their linear path of travel. Suitable-rubber seals may be mounted on the housing 12 for rubbing engagement with the belt .100 to complete the seal. Thus, the entire housing 12 is enclosed and sealed from a hostile environment that may surround the exterior of the winding apparatus 10 so as to protect the interior components of the housing 12.

Additionally, there is provided a solenoid operated latch mechanism for thelower carriage assembly 40, as shown in FIG. 6, comprising a solenoid 111, a latch member 112 pivotally mounted on the stationary carriage portion 42 and connected to solenoid 111 to be controlled thereby, and a latch member 113 mounted in fixed position on the movable carriage portion 46. The latch mechanism 110 is adapted to latch the carriage portions 42 and 46 together at the position illustrated in FIG. 6 for doffing of a wound package P.

In accordance with this invention, the above described winding apparatus 10 is combined with and includes means for forming a transfer tail on the core C of the package P of thread T being wound. One form of the transfer tail forming means 120 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and an alternative form is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer tail forming means 120 comprises a housing 121 suitably secured to the traversing mechanism 25 adjacent the outside end of the path of travel of the traversing element 28. A hook member 122 is mounted for longitudinal movement in the housing 121 and is biased by spring 123 into a first position, shown in FIG. 3 and shown in the solid line position in FIG. 4. In this position, the thread T may be placed in the hook member 122 and held out of reception by the traversing element 28 of the traversing mechanism 25 so that a predetermined quantity of thread T may be wound on the end of the core C of package P, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The transfer tail forming means 120 further'includes a cooperating cam or ramp member 124 positioned in such a manner that it engages thread T as the hook member 122 is moved from the above-described first position to a second position, indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 4, so as to engage the thread T and release it from the hook member 122 so that the thread T may be picked up by the traversing element 28 of the traversing mechanism 25 and the normal traverse winding will be accomplished to form a package, as partially shown in FIG. 2. For moving the hook member 122 from the one position to the second position for releasing the thread T therefrom by the cam member 124, the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided with a manually depressible button 125 secured to the end of the hook memberl22 for manual depression to move the hook member 122 against the bias of the spring 123.

Referring to the alternative embodiment of the transfer tail forming means 120 shown in FIG. 5, this embodiment includes the same cooperating hook member 122 and cam member 124 supported by housing 121. However, in this embodiment, thereis provided an electrically actuated solenoid device 127 which is directly connected with the hook member 122 and is adapted to be actuated by any suitable actuation means to move the hook member 122 between the above-described positions for holding of the thread T and for releasing of the thread T. Solenoid mechanisms are well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art and further explanation and detailed showing thereof are not deemed necessary.

By the above arrangement of the winding apparatus 10, the respective variable torque, reversible motors 50 can drive the package rolls 30 linearly toward and away from the drive roll 14 for start-up and doffing of packages P by driving the movable carriage portions 46 in the desired direction through the ball screw shaft 53 and ball nut 60 and can hold the package rolls 30 and the thread cores C thereon in frictional, peripheral, driving engagement with the drive roll 14 and maintain predetermined pressure relationships between the rolls for thread winding by driving the movable carriage portions 46 and the package rolls 30 in a direction toward the drive roll 14 so that the linear movement of the package rolls 30 away from the drive roll 14 during buildup of a thread package P will overcome the driving forces of the torque motors 50 and cause the torque motors to stall. Since the torque motors 50 are variable torque motors, the amount of torque applied thereby can be varied as desired to obtain the desired predetermined pressure relationship between drive roll and package rolls. Also, the transfer tail forming means will be operated to form a transfer tail on the wound package P prior to winding of the thread T thereon, as

shown in FIG. 1.

Specifically, the winding apparatus 10 may be provided with any suitable control circuit and, while the details of such a control circuit will not be given herein or specifically described, an exemplary operation will be briefly described.

The winding apparatus 10 may include a control panel 130, as illustrated in FIG. 1, having buttons thereon for initiating the operation thereof. The three adjacent buttons at the top of control panel are for controlling the upper package roll 30 and the three adjacent buttons at the bottom of control panel 130 are for controlling the lower package roll 30. The control circuit (not shown) includes suitable switches adapted to be operated by the movable carriage portion 46 of the carriage mechanism 40 and these switches are indicated in FIG. 8 and given the reference characters X, Y and Z.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, when both package rolls 30 are in the retracted or doff position which is the linear position at the extreme end of the path of travel away from the drive roll 14, an operator will press the START button S1 on the control panel and adjust the speeds of the drive roll 14 and the traverse mechanism 25 from any suitable adjustments to the drive motors thereof. Empty package cores C are then placed on the package rolls 30.

The operator then depresses the READY button R for one or both of the package rolls. This energizes the latch solenoid 111 for the lower carriage assembly 40 to disengage the latch mechanism 1 10 and initiates operation of the torque motors 50 to move the package rolls 30 from the doff positions toward the drive roll 14. Also, air pressure from the package roll brake means 33 will be removed to allow rotation of the package rolls 30 and air pressure will be applied to the bladder members 31 for expanding the same and holding the cores C in fixed positions on the package rolls 30.

As the package rolls 30 reach the half-way point of their path of travel toward the drive roll 14, switch Z will be actuated by the movable carriage portion 46 to reduce the voltage on the upper torque motor only to slow down the travel of the downwardly moving upper package roll 30. When the package rolls 30 reach the drive roll 14, they will frictionally engage the drive roll 14 and accelerate to the desired winding speed.

The operator then depresses the THREAD RUN button TR, as shown in FIG. 1, for the desired package roll 30 upon which a winding operation is to be performed. Operation of this button will switch the voltage to the torque motor 50 to that preselected for the winding operation and will de-energize the latch solenoid 111 to allow the latch member 112 to drop back down into its lower position for again engaging the latch member 113 when the lower carriage portion 46 has again reached the doff position.

The transfer tail forming means 120 will now be operated and after formation of the transfer tail, the thread T is released and the wound package of thread then begins building on the cores C on the package rolls 30. This moves the package rolls 30 against the predetermined torque'exerted by the motors 50 to stall the torque motors and maintain the predetermined pressure relationships therebetween. The voltage applied to the torque motors 50 may be varied during this winding operation to produce a variable torque, as desired.

As the packages P build on the package rolls 30 and the package rolls 30 reach the half-way point of their travel away from the drive roll 14, the switch Z will again be engaged and reset.

After the package P has been completely'formed and doffing is desired, the operator depresses the DOFF button D, as shown in FIG. 1, for the desired package roll and the torque motor voltage reverses polarity and drives the desired package roll 30 away from engagement with the drive roll 14 toward the doff position at the extreme end of its path of travel. When the package rolls 30 reach the doff position, switches X and Y are actuated which remove power from the torque motors 50 and allow the lower carriage to latch into position by the latch mechanism 110.

With the package rolls in the doff position, suitable timers are initiated following which the air pressure to the package roll brake mechanism 33 will be supplied to brake the package rolls 30 and cause the same to stop rotating and air pressure will be removed from the bladders 31 to allow the wound packages P to be removed from the package rolls 30. The above operation may then be repeated for one or both of the package rolls 30.

Thus, it may be seen that this invention has provided a winding apparatus including a mechanism for forming a transfer tail and for satisfactorily and easily maintaining a desired predetermined pressure relationship between drive and package rolls for consistency in the winding operations thereof. In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is: 1. The combination of: textile thread winding apparatus having a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable package roll positioned on one side of said drive roll for engagement therewith to be driven thereby for the winding of thread and mounted for linear movement away from said drive roll as the thread package builds thereon, a thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of said drive roll for receiving the thread from a source and guiding the thread around said drive roll to said package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of said drive roll, carriage means including a stationary portion and a movable portion carried by said stationary portion for reciprocating linear movement and being secured to and carry-. ing said package roll for reciprocating linear movement therewith, and means for maintaining a desired edetermined re sure relationshi between s id drive roll an sal d package roll and for linearly driving said package roll and comprising a variable torque reversible motor, a screwshaft connected to and rotated by said torque motor and a nut secured to said movable carriage portion and receiving said screw shaft therethrough for converting rotary movement of said screw shaft into linear movement of said movable carriage portion and package roll carried thereby; and

means associated with said winding apparatus for holding the thread out, of reception by said traversing mechanism for initial winding on said package roll outside of the traversed path until a desired quantity of thread is wound for forming a transfer tail and for subsequent releasing of the thread for reception and traversing by said traversing mechanism.

2. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said transfer tail forming means is mounted adjacent the outside end of the path of travel of said traversing mechanism and comprises a longitudinally movable hook means for receiving and holding the thread out of reception by said traversing mechanism in one position thereof, means for longitudinally moving said hook means to a second position toward said traversing mechanism, and a cam means cooperating with said hook means for engaging the thread as the hook means is moved to the second position for releasing the thread from said hook means.

3. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said hook means is spring biased in said one position and in which said means for moving said hook means to said second position comprises a manually 'depressible button means connected to said hook means.

4. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for longitudinally moving said hook means comprises an electrically actuated solenoid means connected to said hook means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION '7 Patent No. 3, 690, 577 Dated September 12, 1972.

Inventor(s) George F. Schroeder It; is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 51, delete "package" Signed and sealed this 13th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC UOS'IG-PQO Uvl- GOVIINIINT IIINYING OFIICI III 0-!Ol-lll FORM PO-105O (10-69) 

1. The combination of: textile thread winding apparatus having a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable package roll positioned on one side of said drive roll for engagement therewith to be driven thereby for the winding of thread and mounted for linear movement away from said drive roll as the thread package builds thereon, a thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of said drive roll for receiving the thread from a source and guiding the thread around said drive roll to said package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of said drive roll, carriage means including a stationary portion and a movable portion carried by said stationary portion for reciprocating linear movement and being secured to and carrying said package roll for reciprocating linear movement therewith, and means for maintaining a desired predetermined pressure relationship between said drive roll and said package roll and for linearly driving said package roll and comprising a variable torque reversible motor, a screw shaft connected to and rotated by said torque motor and a nut secured to said movable carriage portion and receiving said screw shaft therethrough for converting rotary movement of said screw shaft into linear movement of said movable carriage portion and package roll carried thereby; and means associated with said winding apparatus for holding the thread out of reception by said traversing mechanism for initial winding on said package roll outside of the traversed path until a desired quantity of thread is wound for forming a transfer tail and for subsequent releasing of the thread for reception and traversing by said traversing mechanism.
 2. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said transfer tail forming means is mounted adjacent the outside end of the path of travel of said traversing mechanism and comprises a longitudinally movable hook means for receiving and holding the thread out of reception by said traversing mechanism in one position thereof, means for longitudinally moving said hook means to a second position toward said traversing mechanism, and a cam means cooperating with said hook means for engaging the thread as the hook means is moved to the second position for releasing the thread from said hook means.
 3. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said hook means is spring biased in said one position and in which said means for moving said hook means to said second position comprises a manually depressible button means connected to said hook means.
 4. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for longitudinally moving said hook means comprises an electrically actuated solenoid means connected to said hook means. 